IAA Foundation scholarships provide encouragement to students

Published Monday, May 11, 2020 | Source:

The transition to remote learning feels different to every student. Some college students are familiar with online classes because they have taken one before. Others have quickly adapted to the new delivery mode. Some are embracing the virtual classroom, while others are looking forward to being back on campus.

This year, members of the IFB Board of Directors and the IAA Foundation staff placed personal phone calls to each of the IAA Foundation scholarship recipients. The intention was simple - share a bit of good news in a time of uncertainty.

“I was impressed with the positive spin every student I spoke with put on their current situation,” said Jennifer Smith, IAA Foundation Development manager. “Some are taking advantage of working extra hours and earning cash, while others are helping with spring activities on the farm, something they normally miss because they are in class.”

Two students receiving phone calls were the Cashford Farm Youth Scholarship recipients. Established by Pearl H. Cashford, a downtown Tuscola businessperson for many years, this scholarship is designated to support students from Douglas County.

Makenna Green, daughter of Justin and Monica Green of Arthur, will be entering her sophomore year at Lakeland College in the fall.

“Growing up being involved in Farm Bureau and its Family of Companies, I am humbled to be named a scholarship recipient. I am so thankful to those who invest in young students and the future of agriculture” said Green.

When Zane Crist of Atwood received his phone call, he was busy hatching chicks and maintaining schoolwork. The son of Richard and Ericka Crist will be entering his junior year at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the fall.

“I value the support of my community. Their faith in my educational and career goals is significant to me,” he said of being a recipient.

The Charles B. Shuman Scholarship recipient is Kelsey Smith-McAllister of Pinckneyville. The daughter of John and Karen Smith is a graduate student at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

“Graduate school presents students with new challenges every day. Thanks to the Charles B. Shuman Scholarship, financing my education isn’t one of those challenges,” Smith-McAllister said.

These, along with the all the awards the IAA Foundation is distributing, total $114,000 and will support 72 students pursuing degrees in agriculture-related fields when they return to campus this fall. A full list of scholarship recipients can be found here.